Comparison of the Effects of Development Strategies and Stormwater Management Practices on Receiving Water Quality

A literature review of the practices used by municipal and local governments to guide land development activities indicates that the controls, including the much-touted smart growth, are not clearly understood and implemented. The literature cite frequently that basic land use practices, such as zoning and site design standards, which direct when, where, and how development will occur, are not being adequately implemented. Data are often lacking to demonstrate the benefits to receiving water quality that could be realized by redevelopment and infill development. This paper examines hypothetical test cases and compares their performance in terms of the performance of minimal controls, extended detention ponds, and LID using bioretention basins. The preliminary findings of the study indicate that innovative storm water best management practices, such as low-impact design using bioretention basins, are better than extended detention basins at delivering higher quality storm water runoff, peak shaving, infiltration, and potentially streambank erosion protection. The study also shows that for the sample case, controlled growth using a mixture of site design plans such as cluster development and the increased use of disconnected impervious areas permits higher density development while maintaining better receiving water quality than other development options.